Date Posted: 1/29/2013 5:09:50 AM
Posted By: SimonMburu Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 838
Pomegranate is a red fruit with a tough outer layer. It is an original native of the Persian people and it is also one of the oldest known fruits. The fruit started to shine in the lime light of healthy fruits when it was discovered by scientists that it carried more health benefits compared to other fruits in its category. In Africa, South Africa leads with a number of plantations for pomegranate which they consume locally and export to neighbouring countries as well as abroad. In Kenya small scale farmers are producing this fruit in Kisumu which they term as a real economy saviour. One fruit is retailed at a price of Ksh100 which gives the farmers a great benefit. Each plant is said to yield a minimum of 25 fruits during its first harvest. Although the fruit is fleshy, only the juice and seeds are edible. A glass of pomegranate juice is said to have more antioxidants than red wine, cranberries, green tea, and blueberries. The fruit contains high levels of flavanoids (type of substance found in some plants which protect against some type of heart disease and cancer) and polyphenols (type of antioxidant containing a polyphenolic or natural phenol substructure) which help keep cancer and heart ailments at bay. Various studies have revealed that pomegranate is one of the most powerful, nutrient dense food for overall good health. In this age and era pollution is everywhere and everything we consume is filled up with chemicals, this calls for a good antioxidant like pomegranate just to ensure good health. The fruit is also packed with punicalagins, a compound found in the fruit which has been proven to lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and increase the speed of melting away heart blockages (atherosclerosis). Other compounds reduce platelet aggregation and also inhibit breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia. So the next time you go shopping for fruits consider pomegranate.
Next: Boarding schools in arid areas of KenyaPrevious: What the Kenyan government can learn from the Ugandan education system
Get premium membership